Anyone who drives a lot during the warm season quickly notices two things: the fuel bill and how long the tyres last. These are exactly the concerns the Michelin Primacy 5 Energy targets - the new summer tyre for saloons, estates and SUVs. It is the successor to the Michelin e.Primacy model and suits internal combustion, hybrid and fully electric cars alike.
The tread pattern is asymmetric, with widened longitudinal grooves that channel water away from the contact patch more quickly. The shoulder area and sipes have been redesigned so that the tyre is quieter and rolls more easily. Underneath, two Michelin technologies are at work: Energy Passive 2.0 Technology, with a functionalised elastomer and a new resin blend, reduces energy losses when the tyre deforms, while Michelin Slim Belt technology helps keep rolling resistance low and extends the range of electric cars.
The figures mostly come from the manufacturer and tests it commissioned, so they should be read with caution. Michelin states that this is the brand's first tyre with a triple-A rating on the EU label - A for fuel efficiency, A for wet grip and A for external noise. According to the manufacturer's data, the A-class rolling resistance saves up to 6% of fuel, or roughly 0.3 l/100 km, while the range of an electric car can increase by up to 10%, equivalent to as much as 70 km per charge. In tests carried out by TÜV SÜD, the braking distance on wet surfaces is up to 8% shorter than the predecessor's, even when the tread is worn down to 2 mm. On the wear side, in a DEKRA Test Centre test the estimated mileage was up to 40% longer than that of the compared competitors - one of the few independently measured figures for this tyre.
Independent magazine and laboratory tests have not yet been published. Only user ratings are available, so we are still waiting for the full picture. A practical point: in the shop, the EU label shows A for fuel efficiency in all sizes, while the wet grip class is A or B depending on the size. The Michelin Primacy 5 Energy is available at the Rīgas Riepas shop 29 sizes with wheel diameter from R16 to R21 inches.
